Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The 8-year-old daughter of Zed (NZ) died following complications giving birth to her first foal. The Sea The Stars (Ire) foal also died.
Trainer Chris Waller broke the news in a statement early Monday morning.
“We all saw the courage she had on the racetrack over many seasons and she will never be forgotten by those close to her as well as the wider racing public who followed her career and loved her so much,” Waller said.
Verry Elleegant was born and raised at New Zealand’s Grangewilliam Stud at Whanganui and sported the “GW” brand. She was bred by long-time Grangewilliam client Don Goodwin, who purchased Verry Elleegant’s dam Opulence (NZ) (Danroad) for NZ$14,000 at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock National Broodmare Sale with the specific intention of breeding her to Zed, a stallion in which he is a shareholder.
Goodwin said he never dreamed the mating could produce a horse that would go on to win nearly $15 million, including the most prestigious prize in Australasian racing. The breeder originally raced her with friends in New Zealand before partially selling to Australian interests as a spring 3-year-old. Goodwin and his original partners however stayed in the mare right up until she was sent to Europe in 2022.
“It was a shock to get that news,” Goodwin said.
“You breed horses, but to get one like that… so many thrills. When you went to the races with her you knew she was going to give 100 per cent.
“You breed horses, but to get one like that (Verry Elleegant)… so many thrills.” - Don Goodwin
“Obviously, she was a massive part of our life. Just so tough. All the good horses, she only beat by half a head. Every tight finish, Group 1, she won them.
“Of course, the big one, the Melbourne Cup, she just cleaned up Incentivise. She could have won that by six (lengths).”
Goodwin lost Opulence a year ago, ironically as a result of complications after foaling.
Don and Christina Goodwin with some of Verry Elleegant's (NZ) silverware | Image courtesy of Grangewilliam Stud
Fortunately, that foal, a full sibling to Verry Elleegant, was able to be saved and is going to be trained by Waller as well.
“We’ve got a full sister seven years later. It took me a long time to get a sister,” Goodwin said.
“She isn’t named yet, but it will be Verry Stellar. She’s a rising 2-year-old. It’s a way off yet, but she’s going the right way at the moment.
“We’ve got a full sister (to Verry Elleegant) seven years later. She isn’t named yet, but it will be Verry Stellar. She’s a rising 2-year-old. It’s a way off yet, but she’s going the right way at the moment.” - Don Goodwin
“Unfortunately, I lost (Opulence) on the same day she gave birth to this one. She was a beautiful filly and we got her a foster mother and she’s come through it all very well.”
An illustrious career
Verry Elleegant won two of her first three starts in New Zealand before she was partially sold to Australian interests that included Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski.
Her first campaign in Australia she won the G3 Ethereal S. before being unplaced in both the Wakeful S. and VRC Oaks of 2018.
The following autumn she transferred to Chris Waller and completed the Vinery Stud S.-ATC Oaks Group 1 double.
The daughter of Zed continued to get better with age and would go on to win 16 races in total, 11 of which were at Group 1 level from 1400 to 3200 metres. She was bestowed with the honour of being Australia’s Champion Racehorse of the Year in 2020/21.
Verry Elleegant (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
She rounded out her career with a Group 2-placing in France, retiring with almost $15 million banked.
Her career was highlighted by completing the “Cups Double” albeit in different years, winning the Caulfield Cup in 2020 and then the Melbourne Cup a year later. Her winning weight of 57kg is second only to Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) (58kg) for mares in the history of the race.
In January, the Australian Turf Club sought to honour Verry Elleegant by renaming the G1 Chipping Norton S. after her. She won the race in 2021 and 2022. It will be run on March 2 this year at Royal Randwick.
At the time, Sokolski described the impact Verry Elleegant had on her joyous team of owners.
“As significant as Verry Elleegant’s achievements were, her legacy will not be measured in races won or prizemoney amassed but in the sheer joy she brought her legion of fans, and her indomitable will to win that was an inspiration to us all,” he said.
“... her (Verry Elleegant's) legacy will not be measured in races won or prizemoney amassed but in the sheer joy she brought her legion of fans, and her indomitable will to win that was an inspiration to us all.” - Brae Sokolski
Sokolski told SEN’s Giddy Up with Gareth Hall that Verry Elleegant had felt like part of the family.
“We were looking forward to generations ahead and that legacy you get from breeding with a champion,” he said.
Brae Sokolski, John O’Neill, Ozzie Kheir and Victor Kheir celebrate after Verry Elleegant's (NZ) G1 Melbourne Cup triumph | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Unfortunately, that’s all lost. Now all we have is memories of her as a racehorse.
“She was far from a perfect champion. She had her vices and habits that made things difficult for her and made her wins more meritorious. The imperfect nature of her as a racehorse was part of her appeal.
“(Her passing) brings an additional poignancy to the re-naming of the Chipping Norton (because) that immortalises her.”
